Wednesday, 21 October 2015

Wheelie Innovation Spotting

It could become tedious. With each return trip to Buenos Aries we have a series of visits to make. A form of returning initiations. Choripan at the port, Chipas from Retiro, a walk around with the reserve, check the street-artwork along the railway line. All have been ticked off yet again. The bikes have had their repairs attended to, the chains oiled and the tyres pumped. Time for a test ride, so as it is Sunday that leaves just one last task.

Bamboo bike

Many cities will close off a portion of street to motorised vehicles and open it up to pedestrians. The Costanera in Vicente Lopez is one such. A bario to the north of the city that fronts onto the Rio del Plata, that on highdays and holidays pacifies an eight kilometre stretch of four lane highway. With the attendant sports pitches and open space makes for a vast green lung in a manic metropolis. Crazy city, 'crazy' where skate boarders vie with the traffic on the world's widest street, where 'crazy' is spelt with a smile.

We head for the Costanera, along newly surfaced highways that on a Sunday are now prioritised for cyclists. Over the many years of visits to this city, it's been interesting to watch the improving provision in cycle infrastructure. Probably not fast enough for the campaigners but still progress.

They'll turn left onto 19 lanes of highway!

I enjoy coming down to this stretch of the city, where the in-line skaters predominate. The elegant, free flowing experts weaving their way through the beginners attempting to master the impediments of the traffic calming bumps. The child on the pedal-less bike, kicking his way along, the cycle-led Yorkshire terrier whose legs are a blur. There's a real feeling of empowerment and innovation. It's also an opportunity to watch the latest thoughts on all things "wheels". This was where I saw my first bamboo-framed bicycle, first sail-powered skateboard, the first motorised longboard. This year's visit was no disappointment; three new ideas.

Sunday morn in Lima.

A father is rolling towards me; he appears to be standing on a lump of molded plastic with two wheels on the outside. A possible adaptation of a Segway, one without a supporting handle? Similar to the machine that mowed down Usian Bolt at a recent athletics competition, that the Dutch police use to pirouette around in Schiphol airport. A quick scan of the ether suggest a possible name for my sighting: generically termed a 'rideable', more specifically the 'lesser spotted hoverboard'. It's my first spotting but I'm led to believe that they are the latest in eco-health gizmos and the "must have" for this Christmas. I spot father later on, he's carrying the contraption. It weighs twenty kilos; is this how he improves his cardiac circulation?

My second 'wheelie', is another adaptation. A skeletal, lightweight go-cart on mini plastic wheels that's propelled by twisting the front axle back and forward. Similar to those wobble trikes that were the rage two Christmases past. At least when this five year old driver gets fed up, she can pick it up and haul it herself.

My third 'wheelie' spotting has no wheels. Place one square metre of low friction plastic on the ground; a smooth concrete surface would be ideal. Place some equally low friction over shoes on your feet, crouch down in the classic speed skater's pose, place one arm behind your back, swing the other gorilla fashion, then propel yourself .... sideways. There are two 'stoppers' to restrain you on your slippery surface. Static ice skating. I suppose it does away with the need for helmets, knee and elbow protection, but it also negates that anticipation of the next flying buttock arrest. I wonder if it's significant that those availing themselves of this training service are the same young professionals who spend their midday siestas at the exercise and fitness classes that materialise each workday outside the glass city towers in the business district. Whilst the other skate learners are families clinging for support to one another, and the young couples, where more often than not it will be 'her' teaching 'him'.

Three 'wheelie' innovations, one question: will any of them be in evidence if we visit next year?

NEW!

Scroll down to the bottom to see the map and route of this year's adventure.

*** You can also get mini-updates on Facebook - you can find me using my full name (Lesley Peebles Brown). I'm sure there is a smart way to put automatic links in, but my brain has not unfankled that one yet.

The Holstee Manifesto

Never miss a post - enter your e-mail address here to have every new post delivered to your inbox:

Subscribe To

About Us

The Conspirators

The Navigator: forager, bean counter and now editor. Best observed when at the checkout, flicking through a dross of coinage from four countries. Understood to have been educated in the mid-70s in NE England before being promoted to a tertiary education in Aberdeen. Executed a u-turn out of science and into self-employed accountancy before landing the dream job as a Steward for Historic Scotland. Came to adventure cycling after having been dragged around as a spousal brake on one too many of Scotland's Munros.

The Chronicler: sometime cook and bike guard. Best observed outside supermarkets or women's underwear shops, avoiding eye contact with over-interested poky-fingered little boys. Emerged out of a Glasgow education in the early 70s then to Aberdeen and a diploma in Agriculture. Picked daffodils, dug potatoes, milked cows, planted trees, cut lettuces, drove JCBs. Came to cycling after running out of Munros.

You understand the charges that have been placed before you? This is one of the worst cases that has ever come before my court. You have wilfully and wantonly flaunted the traditions of this country. You have shown flagrant disrespect for the mores of our society. Not only have you offended on this occasion, but there are a further 6 counts against you, all in the last 10 years. I find your behaviour reprehensible. You are both serial offenders. On all these occasions you have avoided Christmas, and worse, escaped the Scottish winter. How do you plead?